Picture yourself in an Air Force dorm room, the sweet scent of home-baked cakes wafting through the halls. A young woman is hunched over a makeshift baking station, meticulously crafting the perfect treat. This is where the journey began for my guest, Jodi Jefferson, a highly decorated Air Force veteran and the founder of Busy Bee Baking Company. From baking treats for presidents to raising thousands for charitable causes, Jodi's story is a genuine testament to the power of passion and giving.
Deliciously melding her love for baking with philanthropy, Jodi has baked her way into countless hearts while raising funds for Wounded Warriors and other charities. Her Thanksgiving bake sale tradition, born on Air Force One, symbolizes the spirit of giving that she embodies. Jodi isn't just crafting delectable treats, she's building a community that supports small businesses and makes a meaningful impact. As a ketogenic lifestyle follower, she also shares her unique experience with keto baking, proving how versatile and inclusive baking can be.
Jodi’s story does not end with her baking prowess. As we chat about Project Intentional, a non-profit focused on helping families in Jodi's area, we delve into how small acts of kindness can make a world of difference. Through her actions, Jodi embodies the essence of touching lives beyond the confines of her bakery. So, join us as we unravel this heartwarming journey of baking, philanthropy, and unforgettable connections.
https://www.facebook.com/busybeebakingcompanyt
Picture yourself in an Air Force dorm room, the sweet scent of home-baked cakes wafting through the halls. A young woman is hunched over a makeshift baking station, meticulously crafting the perfect treat. This is where the journey began for my guest, Jodi Jefferson, a highly decorated Air Force veteran and the founder of Busy Bee Baking Company. From baking treats for presidents to raising thousands for charitable causes, Jodi's story is a genuine testament to the power of passion and giving.
Deliciously melding her love for baking with philanthropy, Jodi has baked her way into countless hearts while raising funds for Wounded Warriors and other charities. Her Thanksgiving bake sale tradition, born on Air Force One, symbolizes the spirit of giving that she embodies. Jodi isn't just crafting delectable treats, she's building a community that supports small businesses and makes a meaningful impact. As a ketogenic lifestyle follower, she also shares her unique experience with keto baking, proving how versatile and inclusive baking can be.
Jodi’s story does not end with her baking prowess. As we chat about Project Intentional, a non-profit focused on helping families in Jodi's area, we delve into how small acts of kindness can make a world of difference. Through her actions, Jodi embodies the essence of touching lives beyond the confines of her bakery. So, join us as we unravel this heartwarming journey of baking, philanthropy, and unforgettable connections.
https://www.facebook.com/busybeebakingcompanyt
Connecting the dots, Connecting his guests to the world, Creating more connections. Welcome to the Connection. Meet your host. Author, coach, Air Force veteran Jay Miralles
Jay Miralles:I'm so excited for you to join us today. I am with my guest, jodi Jefferson, and she is the entrepreneur of Busy Bee Baking Company. But beyond that, we're friends and I just want to say this is your second time on the show, is that right? It is, it is. Don't be shy. Don't be shy. You can kiss the microphone, it's clean. Jodi is an Air Force veteran and she's got 21 years of service, faithful service to our country, and Jodi take us after that. So, after you left the service, what did you do and why did you do it?
Jodi Jefferson:Yes, so when I retired, it was right during the right. When COVID kicked off is when I retired. So my transition was a little bit different than what most people experience. I did an internship with a local chef and because people weren't gathering, we couldn't do most of his catering events, and so we would just meet, we would talk about his business different things like that and I learned a lot from him. And in the meantime I just started baking again a lot and posting things on Facebook. I had a pretty good clientele when we lived in Maryland and then when I got stationed here at Offit, our children were really little, my husband was over in Korea, I was flying all the time and I just didn't have time, and so when COVID kicked off and we were stuck in the house for days on upon days and everything was shut down, it was a perfect time to just pick up that baking again, and with social media it just really took off.
Jay Miralles:Which is crazy. So when did you know that you could bake? When was the first day you were like man? I think I can do this, or was it like that?
Jodi Jefferson:My mom and grandma always baked a lot. So I was I was always the chubby kid, because my mom always had sweets around the house. My dad had his own construction company and she packed his lunch faithfully for 40 years and there was always a sweet treat in his lunchbox, and so we also got to enjoy those things as well. My grandma, she was really short, and so she had a counter in her house that was shorter than normal so that she could roll out her bread dough, and so I remember as a kid being able to stand at that counter as a kid, and so you know, it was a normal height then for me too. So, yeah, so so many memories of my mom and my grandma. And so, yeah, I remember buying my first set of springform pans when I lived in the dorms in South Carolina and baking a carrot cake in the military.
Jay Miralles:You're in the military.
Jodi Jefferson:Yep for some friends, and then just I just always kind of baked after that.
Jay Miralles:You've you've baked or chefed for some very important people. Can you kind of share a list of the people you've baked for?
Jodi Jefferson:Yeah. So when I was a flight attendant in the Air Force, I served many of our nation's leaders, from congressmen, senators, secretaries of defense, secretaries of state all the way up to the first ladies and the presidents, to include Mrs Laura Bush, President Bush, Mrs Obama and President Obama.
Jay Miralles:That's crazy. I mean, who even says that? Right, you know, even on the list of resumes, you know, people are always name dropping and and that's a great story to tell, it's, it's great to pass down to your children. And I don't think you even have to ever say I've done this for these famous people or for these powerful people, because it comes out in your work. I think your work speaks for itself and, and you know, I, I, when you and I speak off you know the podcast, we're just, we're friends, and I'm telling the world that, without telling the world that you're one of the best, most passionate people, who I don't want to just minimize and call you a baker, right, I want to tell everyone that you pour your heart into something and it's therapeutic for you.
Jay Miralles:Absolutely Right, it's either that or, you know, get crazy. But I think more so. I think there's a lot of chefs and a lot of bakers and a lot of people who want to do what they do, and most people think of monetization first. Right, how do I make money at this? Was that ever a thing for you when you started baking?
Jodi Jefferson:No, I mean once I retired. I'm blessed to have that retirement income at 40 years old, some disability income from being broken from my time in the service.
Jay Miralles:Yes, and, and yes.
Jodi Jefferson:So I started it more as something to keep me busy, because I mean, in the military it was just go, go, go, go go all the time. And so I found that it was very hard to just slow down and enjoy retirement, yeah, and so that's why I kind of just started dilly-dallying I guess I would call it in the kitchen and then now it became this full-time job where I'm constantly telling people no, because I just don't have the bandwidth.
Jay Miralles:I've been to your kitchen and I know the dilly-dallying is not dilly-dallying, it is full-blown operation. It is like standby coming out the oven. Here we go.
Jay Miralles:I'm like, oh my gosh there is a lot of stuff and and I get it right, but I think what's cool is, and what I want people to connect on this episode, is your philanthropic heart. I want people to know that it's not your philosophy, I think it's just at your heart right, and we got to witness that for the very first time. You know, with our nonprofit, and you raised almost 20 plus or not almost over $20,000 individually with your business as well, with Busy B Bacon Company. But I don't think people realize that. I want them to know this.
Jay Miralles:She is using her talent and her own money. She didn't just conjure the flour out of the air, she didn't just make the sugar appear. You spent your own money, your own time, your own equipment, your own hours, 24 hours, and we're going to talk about that process. But, jodi, I think I think people can give to nonprofits or the community in three ways Time, talent, treasure. You just happened to do all three and I think that's pretty incredible. So, with that being said, this is going to propel you for this year and you're getting ready for it. Now. I want you to talk about who you're raising money for and why you're raising money for them, and I want to get out. I want to reveal a couple things you know that you're doing, but I want them to hear the why, the connection to philanthropy.
Jodi Jefferson:Yeah, so our church has a motto that we live, we exist to live and love like Jesus. Yes, and so a lot of things I do. I think back to that and I'm just blessed. I'm blessed with a talent. Yes, for sure, and so I just feel like that, even though it's baking, you know, it's something that, what do?
Jay Miralles:you mean, even though it's baking it's incredible.
Jodi Jefferson:You know I'm serving people, yes, and a long time ago, when I was at one of the academies for the military, we had to do a paper on a very important person and I chose Truett Cathy, who was the founder of Chick-fil-A. He was a huge philanthropist, yes, and I learned so much about him and you know how much he poured back into the community.
Jay Miralles:Yes.
Jodi Jefferson:And so that his story really resonated with me. And I had some other experiences in the military where it was just giving back, you know, as much as we could and it just fills your cup.
Jay Miralles:I mean it?
Jodi Jefferson:makes you just feel so good. And if I was a millionaire, I would just be giving out money. I can't watch these YouTubers where they're like just giving out money and they're like that's so cool. I want to do that, mom, and I'm like, well, it's not really realistic for a 12 year old, but to have that thought, to want to do that, you know, is exciting, it is, and so, yeah, I am just blessed Connecting the dots connecting his guests to.
Jay Miralles:Okay, we're back.
Jodi Jefferson:So I'm just excited that we can do that.
Jay Miralles:So here's what I'll ask you Do you think you just said something a few minutes ago or a few seconds ago that said you know, I see these YouTubers giving away millions and are giving away money because they're millionaires right Okay, they're millionaires, they're giving away money, that's good. I'm not saying you're not a millionaire. I'm saying that you are at a level in life that you are still giving, and you're not on YouTube and you're not on social media just saying look at me how we're giving away iPhone 15. You know what I'm saying. You're giving and you're probably giving till it really hurts or is very meaningful for you.
Jodi Jefferson:Well, like last year, when I wrote that check to my mom, mark you know, as I'm writing this $12,000 check, I'm thinking I could take my family to Disney. Yes, but we're not yes. You know, and my whole family was involved in that. I mean they saw how hard we worked, they helped they built boxes. They, you know, everybody in our family is involved. My dad makes deliveries out west. My mom is in the kitchen like elbows deep in the in the whole mess.
Jay Miralles:I know.
Jodi Jefferson:And my kids see how hard we work and I just hope that you know in the long run. A quick one week in Disney yeah, they would have memories from that. But this is building their legacy.
Jay Miralles:Yeah, they're lives, but, jodi, I want to. I want a very pointed message out to people listening right now. I, you, I don't like to even use the word hate. I do not Agree with people who ask for discounts or they ask you to cheapen your product to fit their Budget. Listen, we all have to be conscious, right? But you know what? Don't ask me. Don't ask me to to cheapen my product. And you're wearing Louis Vuitton shoes. Okay, do you know what I'm saying? Don't, don't talk to me about like. Well, we can only do this like or we're a nonprofit or we're not. This or our company's just new.
Jay Miralles:Listen, what you're asking Jodi Jefferson to do is to take food off her kitchen table. When you say, listen, can we get to those for the one? No, you're taking resources from somebody. I think it's not just about you, this is about everybody. So, jodi, tell us now about your product. Now that I got off my rant, I felt good to say that, though I you know what I I'm not gonna apologize for that statement. People should not ask of you. They should learn of you and what you're actually doing for the community. Then they would go oh, I don't think she can do the parents guild fundraiser for free.
Jodi Jefferson:Yeah, and I feel like it's easy for schools and smaller groups that are trying to raise money for very important causes, and I get that, but it's easy for them to Ask a small business, even though most small business businesses are the one struggling a hundred the bigger businesses have processes in place and they people don't get an immediate yes or no. They have to fill out a form and then there's a waiting period and they don't want to do that. They want to walk into a place, make it, send an email, make a phone call and they want Instant gratification.
Jay Miralles:Yes.
Jodi Jefferson:Yes or no and keep on moving to the next.
Jay Miralles:I think that's important. I want to stay on that, because you said small business right, and I sent this to a friend of mine and I want the world to hear this too. Man, I'm full of rants today, but it's gonna help you and help me too. So here's what I'm wrestling with. Right, we always talk about, you know, small businesses and you're the backbone and things of the net nature, but oh, my gosh, oh, you can do big things with small teams, but it's hard to do small things with big teams.
Jay Miralles:Yeah right, replace the word teams with corporations or businesses. Right, you're scrappy and agile, you can do what you want when you want. You can. You can turn on a dime. But as soon as you start getting that Big box business, are they really in your best interest? No, they have Shareholders and things, and good for them. I don't chastise that. But what I want to reinforce is, when they're looking at busy be baking companies, that they look and look beyond the price. I want them to see the value and the things that you bring to the table. So, alright again, who are we raising money for? And and tell me how you tell me how this tradition started for you.
Jodi Jefferson:Yeah, so when I worked on Air Force one, we would hold a Thanksgiving bake sale every year, and the funds that we raised would always go to Offset the cost of our Christmas party. We always had an extravagant Christmas party and about Four years into doing it, I thought why am I doing this? Like it was a ton of work. Yeah, there was one year where we had a surprise trip to the war zone the day a few the week before Thanksgiving and I had all these orders that I still needed to fulfill, and so I remember landing back in Maryland after a 36-hour trip to the war zone and having to stay in the kitchen and Continue to bake for 12, 14, 16 hours, which was something I chose to do. And, yeah, I probably could have said, hey, we're just gonna have to cancel this, we're done in the war zone because nobody cares about your war zone except you, right, right.
Jodi Jefferson:But we did it. We, I baked, and you know all the orders were done in time and we raised the money. Well then, the fourth or fifth year to doing it, I thought, why are, why aren't we giving, making Better use of these funds? And so a bunch of us flight attendants got together and I said how cool would it be to Take the money that we raise and we go visit the wounded warriors in Walter Reed?
Jodi Jefferson:yes and so we've raised several thousand dollars that year and we got in contact with someone from Walter Reed and we went in and I mean we blessed so many Veteran service members that were missing limbs. I mean we and it was they were sick or injured.
Jay Miralles:That's why they're in Walter Reed.
Jodi Jefferson:Yes, absolutely like arms blown off.
Jay Miralles:Yes, yes.
Jodi Jefferson:Yeah.
Jay Miralles:I mean people remember one gentleman.
Jodi Jefferson:He, I think both of his legs got blown off in one arm and so we just all went in and we purchased several iPads. We purchased magazines, gift cards, just things that we thought would lift their spirits. Books, yeah, and it was just so. They were so grateful. We didn't know any of them, but when we walked out of there that day, I mean we were all in tears and we are our cup was full you know your energy change.
Jay Miralles:When you're talking about that, I mean, I mean that's the ultimate to be able to and, in turn, you, you feel blessed to be able to do that right, and I think you know, when you write a thank-you card for someone who did a random act of kindness for you, that that's powerful.
Jay Miralles:I think what you did was not only powerful, but the message was strong to the people you didn't even know, and it all came from baking. Yeah right, think about that. Right, where do we get the money? Well, jodi whipped it up, I guess, but, um, you know that's, that's pretty cool. So it carried on yeah.
Jodi Jefferson:So then when I got stationed here, took a few years off again, life was just crazy. My mom my mom has terminal cancer and so she was sick, kids were little, david was gone. And then one year the church that we attend they were needing some funds to purchase a vehicle for their youth Parent life ministry. Yeah, and so I said to my mom, I said I feel like we can, we can make an impact. How are we gonna do it? And so I said let's do this Thanksgiving bake sale again.
Jay Miralles:Hold on right there. You know, like in regular conversation, like what is it that we can do for you? Well, we're trying to raise money for a vehicle, right? Do you know how many people shy away at you? Know, oh, oh, you want a donation for this. Oh, you want it. Oh, you want a shirt donation to sponsor your, your football team. You want that, you want. If someone said to me we're trying to raise money for a car, right, most people think what, oh, I could, I could never. Oh, well, I might buy you a door handle, I'll buy gas money. What did you think when you were taking on that project? Did you even know how much they needed to raise?
Jodi Jefferson:Um, I mean, I figured it was probably 10 to 15,000, really I had no idea. But we're on our fifth year, yeah, so five years ago.
Jay Miralles:Four years, yeah. So you had no idea what it even took. You were just like mom.
Jodi Jefferson:Yeah, like any little bit we can contribute will help the cause, right yeah?
Jay Miralles:how much did you end up raising?
Jodi Jefferson:so that first year we raised, I think it was like 2,500.
Jay Miralles:Okay, so yeah.
Jodi Jefferson:We we partner with Thrive it financial every year. We have investments through them and they have a Action team project that you can do, where they'll give you a jumpstart of $250. So that's cool that buys us $250 of flour, sugar, and butter every year.
Jay Miralles:That's awesome.
Jodi Jefferson:And then everything else comes out of our pocket.
Jay Miralles:That you know To start small and humble. First of all, $2,500 is not small. Who do you know that's like yeah, I'll take a check for 2,500. And let's be honest, the blood, sweat and tears that went into all that, the time, the prep, the exact Precision that that took right, it's not like, well, we're just gonna put this together tonight at nine o'clock tonight. It's gonna take you hours of time and a volunteer of our army of volunteers. So you got that. Tell us about other fundraisers, just from a high level that you've done.
Jodi Jefferson:Yes. So then the following year we partnered with the Ronald McDonald house because we had some friends. Their son has Down syndrome and they live out in Lexington and they often make visits to Omaha and stay Not the Ronald McDonald house, the rainbow house rainbow house.
Jay Miralles:Yes, I'm sorry. No, you're okay.
Jodi Jefferson:And so they often stay at the rainbow house. And so they had told us about the facility and how great it is and the amenities, and so we thought, oh my gosh, if there's families with children that can't spend the holidays in their own home Because their child has an illness or fighting cancer, what have you?
Jay Miralles:Yeah.
Jodi Jefferson:Let's bless them. Yes like, how, like put myself in their shoes. Oh my gosh, where's the best place to be during the holidays? In your own home, true, with your own Christmas tree. Mm-hmm all the memories right, yeah, and so that year we raised $6,000.
Jay Miralles:Just and and again, just from your supporters and people following you and people wanting to do what you do. How did you, how do you think you went from 2,500 6,000? Was it just? Was it easy? Was it more work? Was it? What was the? What was the change from 2,500?
Jodi Jefferson:to 6,000. I feel like that's kind of when my business was taking off more on Facebook, yes, so we were able to again leverage that social media platform and really advertise, and we always stress that 100% of the sales is given directly to that charity. We keep none of it. We write a check when it's all over.
Jay Miralles:And you spend money for that.
Jodi Jefferson:Yes, it costs us money.
Jay Miralles:Yeah, that's what and I think people need to. People don't realize this right, that when a small business like yourself creates goods or services, those have to be conjured from somewhere or Spoken for or purchased. You've got to get, you got to buy the flower. Nobody's bringing you flower, right? You've got to buy the sugar you have by all that stuff. And I think what's even more remarkable is I think people are forgetting Not a hundred percent of the proceeds, it's more like a hundred thirty percent of the proceeds, because your own money, right, see, and that's what I want people to think about is to challenge themselves, to think what is it that I can do To make an impact? And for you it's I'm able to buy, I'm able to have the talent and I'm able to have the treasure to be able to do all that. Some people can't write a check, that's okay.
Jodi Jefferson:That is okay.
Jay Miralles:That is. It is because money is not the only thing, it's time, yeah, so. So what was your next one after that?
Jodi Jefferson:So then after that, Um mustaches for kids huge in Omaha. Yes, we had a crazy team of guys in our squadron every year. Yeah, they won sexiest workplace. Yeah, they would just grow some gnarly mustaches during. Covid, it was even Crazier because they could cover their mustaches while at work. So they kind of.
Jay Miralles:So they didn't have to, they got away with it.
Jodi Jefferson:Yeah, they didn't. They could kind of Skirt the regs a little bit by growing these crazy mustaches and so, yeah, so, partnered with Nick Phillips and his team, from the first act and that year, with some matches that this, some flash matches that they did, we, we raised over 10,000. And then, at their stash bash when they released how much total they raised for the children's Charities, in Omaha was over a million. That's crazy. So, nick was like without your $10,000 donation because they used, they leveraged that $10,000 donation. When they do these flash matches.
Jodi Jefferson:Yes and so they were able to raise a bunch more money. I think it was like 70,000 during that flash.
Jay Miralles:How cool is that to be a catalyst, and you know. So you were still in the military doing COVID.
Jodi Jefferson:No, I had just you just got out.
Jay Miralles:Yeah, but you still had all the connections. Yep, okay, got it, got it. So then, I Think it was after that that we met.
Jodi Jefferson:Yes, we met that following May.
Jay Miralles:May, that's right, you know all the dates. It was at our friend, leslie's wedding and there was a door, couple doors, deck, you know, like the tables, yeah, or whatever it was decorated with your or Sharkhood read is it was an explosion of goodness. I, you know, I, I've been at a lot of weddings and I've been a lot of Celebrations and I look at tables, you know, because I love food, right, I, I just I love to cook, I love to do things that nature. But I really looked at it and we had a four or five minute conversation, that was it. And then you raised how much for us, total 20 from bake sale, we raised 12,000.
Jay Miralles:Yeah, but from total all up and everything over 20. Yeah, yeah, 24. Yeah, 24. Who's counting right? I mean, that is no small feat and I know that you Always are searching and vetting, and I bet people are coming up to you like, jodi, do one for us, or how did you choose who you have today and will you please let us know who you chose?
Jodi Jefferson:Yeah. So I Didn't know this lady or her cause until I saw her on a Facebook post and she had been on the Kelly Clarkson show. Her name is Sasha, yes, and she is quite the leader here in Omaha and she is the founder of the of project intentional. Yes and what they do is they empower, which we like that word.
Jay Miralles:Yes.
Jodi Jefferson:Caregivers. It's kind of started with single mothers, but then they found that just care care givers all around, whether the grandparent, whether it be the male in the situation or the or the female. So they empower those folks with resources, toiletries, hygiene items, socks and then toys for the little ones. And so December 10th of this year they will be holding their annual winter Wonderland Emporium yes this year they're held holding it at Baxter arena because they're expecting 1500 Families so they, those are the families when they come through is the one they're.
Jay Miralles:They're helping, they're empowering them. Yes okay.
Jodi Jefferson:So last year they helped over 600 Is she received $25,000 from the Kelly Clarkson show. That's awesome. I think she received another 25,000 from a local bank, sure, and then whatever we raise we will give to her, and and there's plenty of other businesses and and folks that are helping her put this on. But it's quite the task and I am Slated to volunteer on that day because I just want to be a part of it. I mean, it just sounds like so Amazing and life-changing.
Jodi Jefferson:Yeah, and so they are releasing the tickets kind of they're not releasing them all at once, because what they found in the past is that if you're a shift worker and they release all 1500 tickets, you might miss out because you're a working yes, and so they're kind of staggering that. Yeah, they're staggering that this year so that everyone has a chance, because last year all 600 tickets were gone in one day.
Jay Miralles:I want to talk about something real quick in perspective, because I think everyone listens and they hear what they want to hear. But have you ever run out of Kleenex? Like, just you know you're in the car and you're like, oh my gosh, I run out of Kleenex.
Jay Miralles:Yeah, doesn't that suck yeah you're like oh my god, I don't have Kleenex. I just left the house. I'm between the house and to our rent and store. Oh my gosh, kleenex is a necessity right that you and I have the ability to purchase. Okay, that's a Kleenex. What about a toothbrush?
Jodi Jefferson:Yeah, there's tons of products. She has hope lockers yes, around town. Yes, several locations need more downtown, but what the hope lockers are filled with and it is an honor system. You take what you need, yeah, and if you are able, you leave you leave what you can.
Jay Miralles:I think that's important, so people can go to the hope lockers if they and put stuff in the hope locker as well.
Jodi Jefferson:Yes, absolutely, that's great there is some near 132nd center pop up commons I believe has a hope locker. They're just orange, not real tall, but their metal lockers and they'll say hope locker.
Jay Miralles:I'll make sure to put that on the links here, because I have seen that they just have a few to start with, correct? Yeah so. So here's what's crazy not only are you donating your time, talent and your treasure, you're learning about them and you're walking alongside with them. What's something that you want people to? Because you're getting ready to do your baking sale? Right, yeah, tell people the amount of work that that takes, or at least give walk them through, so then I can help make the ask here.
Jodi Jefferson:Yeah, so we start, I will do the shopping. We've kind of got it down to a well oiled machine so we offer the same five items each year, just because we know exactly. We've had some hiccups, obviously, as the five years we've gone through, and so we've made a lot of notes. We have a little bake sale notebook and we take a lot of notes each year. But it makes purchasing Planning just so much easier. It makes it we're just so much more organized by keeping that same menu. People had it years past, love it, and they want it again the following year so thanks, give it.
Jodi Jefferson:Yeah, yeah it becomes like a tradition for their family to have the bread pudding with the compre lean sauce.
Jay Miralles:Absolutely, and we're going to be able to put this though on our on our website. So we need people now, right now, to start placing their orders. Is that correct?
Jodi Jefferson:oh yes, we stop taking orders on the 17th. So you have about two and a half weeks I'm yet to place orders, and then we'll cut those orders off on the 17th because we will need to start shopping that weekend and then we start preparing Usually that Sunday in order to be ready for pick up on Wednesday.
Jay Miralles:Here's. Here's what's crazy. I don't think people. People are all yes, she's gonna bake a couple of no, yeah, this ain't your girl, girl, scouts. Sidewalk sale, bake sale this is no hating on the girl scouts, but anyway. We love brownie. Okay, good, what she meant to say the magnitude, the magnitude, but. But, jodi, you're going to start straight up at dark 30 and we're talking two days possibly, right, if not three.
Jodi Jefferson:Yeah, we'll bake all day. We may start Saturday, but for sure Sunday, monday, tuesday, because we have to have everything packaged and ready, that's crazy because pick up is all day Wednesday and we start. People start picking up their orders on the way to work. Yeah, some people don't work the day before Thanksgiving, so they're off and we will be busy. It's like a revolving door all day Wednesday all the way till about nine o'clock.
Jay Miralles:I've witnessed it because we were there that one day for last year. I mean, we're just part of it, right, and we're talking four days of your life minimum just to be at the helm of the creation part, right? Yeah, just mixing the ingredients, putting watching the ovens, and this is not like you go. Oh gosh, sorry, I burnt this batch.
Jodi Jefferson:no, oh yeah, I mean we have it down to the hour like okay, we have 47 bread puddings we have to make. We can bake four at a time and they take an hour and 15 minutes each. I need you know, whatever that calculation is 19 and a quarter hours or whatever. So, yeah, so the ovens run about 23 hours a day.
Jay Miralles:Yeah, because you got to turn them off for one hour.
Jodi Jefferson:Let them cool off, I turn them off.
Jay Miralles:Is that superstitious?
Jodi Jefferson:now almost Kind of yeah well, and it gives me an hour to take a nap on the couch.
Jay Miralles:Which is so. Let's talk about that in this 23 hours. You're not like well, I'm going to go ahead and take a normal nights of sleep like everyone else. No, you can't do that.
Jodi Jefferson:No, I send my mom downstairs and she'll get some good rest, because again she's older, she has cancer.
Jay Miralles:Understood.
Jodi Jefferson:I'm just grateful to be able to spend that time with her and that she still helps Absolutely.
Jay Miralles:I thought you trick her into volunteer. You're volunteering her, no, and your mom is sweet. Here's what's really cool, is you know? Yes, I think I took a couple videos while you were doing it, but I wish this is my, this is my challenge for you. I wish that you would get a laptop, just like I have here now, a camera, and just stream the 24 hours that you're doing this. Just let it sit on top of the fridge. I'm serious, just let it sit there and if people want to, you don't have to even pay attention to. I dare you. I dare you to just do it, because I think people need to learn, as you do this, the magnitude of what you're doing.
Jay Miralles:I'm not trying to make you out to be some saint, but this is not just writing a check, because writing a check would probably be easier. Not, not in all cases, right, not in all cases. What I'm saying it's it's the time that you're putting in that makes it so special. So what do we need people to do? Let's, let's, let's talk about a couple of things that you made, and then I want to make an announcement, not really an announcement, but I want to hear it here first, because, yeah, we'll talk about that. So why don't you talk about what we need to call to action for people, for project intentional? Because I want you to take this by storm. I want people to reach down deep and I will help you market okay, but what do we want them to do?
Jodi Jefferson:Yeah, so if you want to go on our Facebook busy be baking company dot com, you can order from. You can send us a message through there and we can take that down for you. You can call us Facebook is the best place to send us a message through there so that we have that documented. Will take your order down Again. All pickups will be done all day on November 22nd it's a Wednesday the day before and we'll be at the house all day. We live in Papillion, very near Warner Park.
Jay Miralles:Yeah, it's right off. Three seven is super simple and I post about the big sale every Thursday.
Jodi Jefferson:We call it thankful Thursday. I'm usually a little blurb about what I'm thankful for, asking you what you might be thankful for, just to put that thought in your mind. We are in the month of November now, and not just that we should be thankful in the month of November.
Jay Miralles:But it's a good reminder.
Jodi Jefferson:Yeah, absolutely.
Jay Miralles:It is the season where most of us get to celebrate the things we love the most, but we need to be mindful of people who aren't able to enjoy like you know, like we are. And here's the thing. The word help is such I want to give people. I empower them and give them dignity, right, because that's that's what it is at the end of the day. Right, and you're doing a little good. You're doing good for yourself. Send the elevator back down, bring somebody up, bring somebody up with you, so we will make sure I want all of my friends to participate. Listen, you still need a pie? Yeah, could you go to? Oh, yeah, tell him what we're serving.
Jodi Jefferson:Oh yeah, yeah, you better tell him that's important. Yes, menu we have. We're gonna have pumpkin pie. We have a southern bourbon pecan pie which is everyone's favorite yes we have the bread pudding with pecan praline sauce which we love. To warm it up, put some vanilla ice cream and some fresh raspberries yes we have the pumpkin whoopie pies, which are Jay's favorite you already know like and I'm okay, keep going.
Jodi Jefferson:Yes, we have Carrot cake cupcakes, and so those five items are what we sell each year. Like I said, they're some of our favorites. It's a well oiled machine making them in mass quantities. I'm talking mass quantities like hundreds, boom.
Jay Miralles:Yeah, we just become best friends. Yep, yes, yes, sister and step brother, but from different masters. But anyway, I'm saying to everyone is you need to spend your money somewhere? Yep, spend it with you and, in turn, get something of value. Right, this is not like, this is not poisonous. Giving folks. You're getting something quality that she's already bought the ingredients for, put her talent into it and is Gonna bring joy to other people, I promise you. I have had the pumpkin, I've had your whoopie pies out of cycle because I'm usually keto, right, and I know, and I'm keto, sorry, I can't eat that. No, it's, I'm not like that. Okay, I'm, I'm a real person. I have to have desserts and treats, you know, every now and then. But again, which can we transition now? Because I'm excited, I can't wait yes, yes, yes, yes, yes.
Jodi Jefferson:Let me comment on that like you said you can get your 699 ginormous pie. That was probably made by a lady that hates her job. I don't know, she probably really loves her yes or you can get your Thanksgiving pies maybe cost a little bit more, but made with absolute love yes all for a good cause 100% and you're supporting a small business.
Jay Miralles:I love how you're telling it real, because here's what happens. Well, you know I can get it from so and so cheaper you can. You don't even know what you're missing until you have this, and when you have it, you'll find out exactly what you've been missing. It is home, it is not processed, it is great ingredients, it is well-crafted. I promise you you'll be back to order more, which is it's your customers. A lot of them become your customers when they start supporting you and you know the causes that you're doing, and then they just become clients for life. But I think it's a good proponent for your business. Instead of you just advertising, is you're making an impact? Oh, by the way, someone discovered your whoopee pies.
Jodi Jefferson:Right and personalizing the experience. Yes, I love customer service. When I was a flight attendant, everything we did it was about the best customer service, and so I want my customers to remember their experience. I don't want it to just be a transaction.
Jay Miralles:I know that I want it to be an experience. Sometimes, when we talk about pricing, models and business, you're like, yeah, okay, fine, but it's got to be this. And you know, I told you one day why don't you just melt a chocolate, kiss and put it in a muffin cup and serve it? And you're like, no, that ain't right. Okay, which leads us to the exciting and the conclusion, almost, of this amazing. Amazing. I'm just excited.
Jay Miralles:Okay, jodi and I have been friends for a while now and I've kind of shared with her. You know what my lifestyle is like. I'm a ketogenic lifestyle and that doesn't favor sugar or sweets or carbs, or and again, I'm not the keto police. Okay, I'm someone that is watching my health and I think you know I can buy stuff at the store, I can buy stuff from a box, I can order stuff online, I can do protein powders and shakes and all the things, but that's processed, processed, right. So I'm going to reveal this now and we're going to talk about it. I'm going to eat it while you describe it, okay, so tell everyone what you decided to do the other day.
Jodi Jefferson:So I'm actually doing keto right now because there's a keto. It's hard. There is a group of us doing 75 hard right now and my diet, honestly, before starting 75 hard, was very poor. I get it. I worked all the time. I wouldn't usually eat anything until noon, one o'clock, when I started to get lightheaded. It wasn't fasting, it was just not eating.
Jay Miralles:Right, you just weren't like, you just weren't taking care of your feeding cycle. Yeah, and it's not about diet, it's about your lifestyle of how you fed yourself. Right, right, and sometimes, you ate what your kids ate.
Jodi Jefferson:Yeah, and when I ate it was usually quick. You know I didn't eat a lot of fast food, but it just wasn't good choices. Oh my God, it smells so good. So yeah, so started doing keto and I was like man, I really would like to have a little something sweet with you know, a cup of coffee at night.
Jay Miralles:Yes, at night.
Jodi Jefferson:Like I'm a grandma Decaf, of course.
Jay Miralles:Okay, I don't drink regular coffee at 9 pm. Oh, but go ahead.
Jodi Jefferson:And so I bought this boxed brownie mix because it said keto. I really didn't know what I was doing when I first started keto, like I would message Jay all the time.
Jay Miralles:Like yes. What is this?
Jodi Jefferson:Yeah, am I doing this right? Right, like you were panicking.
Jay Miralles:I was because I'm like, if I'm going to spend the time doing this, I want to make sure I'm doing it right. And I'm not trying to compliment you, but you look amazing by the way. You know, you already know Like I mean. You feel different. I know you look different, energy you 100%, and you're not sluggish, you're not like eh. So I'm not trying to over compliment, but this led into the next part of the journey, so you went to the store the other day.
Jodi Jefferson:Yeah, and I was like I should do some keto baking. It can't be that hard, right?
Jay Miralles:Because? Because, because you told Becky on her birthday, oh, I was going to do a cake. Oh yeah, Becky's birthday just passed, I should have done a cake.
Jodi Jefferson:And I was like man, I should have made you a keto cake. And she was like you bake keto. And I was like well, no, but I feel like I should dabble in it, so this is literally the other day.
Jay Miralles:I can't even make this up. This is like fresh Okay.
Jodi Jefferson:Yeah.
Jay Miralles:Okay, so you went to the store two days ago.
Jodi Jefferson:Yeah, two days ago. And you were like you're going to do this this week. I was like, yeah, it's actually kind of a slow week. I'm getting prepared for the big thing in a couple of weeks.
Jay Miralles:Yes, and you're talking too slow. I'm just going to bite this. Keep going, okay.
Jodi Jefferson:And so, yeah, so I made a few things Jay's favorite. Yes, so I'm going to put regular pumpkin whoopie pie into the keto. Oh my gosh, and it's soft, oh it's soft.
Jay Miralles:Oh, I thought it was going to be like almond flour, hard, right, like okay, let's, just. Can I save this for last? I'm going to save that for last. Holy smoke. It's so soft that my mouth just salivated. Yeah, it's so soft. My mouth just was like I swear, I'm not kidding Like it's okay, okay, okay, let's talk about this. Okay, so that's coconut pecans dark chocolate, okay, and then I'm going to put it on a short bread crust.
Jay Miralles:Okay, and what are the ingredients on here? Like what talk to me, what ingredients went into this? Just, I don't need measurements, yeah.
Jodi Jefferson:Coconut flour. It's got your normal baking agents.
Jay Miralles:Okay, baking powder, baking soda, butter yes.
Jodi Jefferson:Some cream and that one vanilla.
Jay Miralles:Anything processed.
Jodi Jefferson:No.
Jay Miralles:No, it's all okay, keep talking.
Jodi Jefferson:The monk fruit sweetener Sorry.
Jay Miralles:Be quiet, everyone, for real, hold on. There's no cooling effect. So when you eat, keto made things. There's a cooling effect from sugar, alcohol. So you used monk fruit in this, right, yeah, mostly, but the butter lingers for a little bit, I feel, which is good. I mean, that's what I want my mouth coated with. Is butter, not the cooling effect? Hold on, I just you keep talking. You're going to hear me breathe. Why don't you keep talking? Okay, so next we've got the chocolate fudge brownie. I'm not there yet, oh well, take your time.
Jodi Jefferson:Okay, tell me about the chocolate fudge brownie, yeah, so again, I'm going to go with the chocolate fudge brownie.
Jay Miralles:Okay, okay, okay, okay. So tell me about the chocolate fudge brownie. Yeah, so again oh my God, it's soft too.
Jodi Jefferson:It's got the almond flour, the coconut flour, unsweetened cocoa.
Jay Miralles:And it has a ridge. It has a ridge like a real fudge brownie like an edge.
Jodi Jefferson:It's not all flat.
Jay Miralles:No, hold on. Sorry, this is all for me. Anyway. You're not going to eat this, right, yeah, no, and then Becky's not even tasting this. Is it on my face? No, okay, I think it is. Anyway, let's try it. Okay, hold on. When my teeth just went onto that, the mouth feel is amazing. Hold on.
Jodi Jefferson:It's not dry.
Jay Miralles:No, it is, and I can say it is moist, it is, it's not spongy, it's like a thick hold on oh my God. Jodi, I'm so rude right now, but I don't even care. I'm not saying this because of your hair. I like it. What was the first thing that I was having again?
Jodi Jefferson:Yeah, so that's the pecan coconut dark chocolate.
Jay Miralles:The reason I'm smacking is because I'm looking for an aftertaste. There is none. Or a cooling effect. There is none, proportionately, the butter in this one as well, I think that's where and that's what makes it really expensive, because you've got to use real butter right. Did you use salted or unsalted butter?
Jodi Jefferson:I always use salted.
Jay Miralles:Okay, so then I just omit Salt.
Jodi Jefferson:Most recipes call for salt. Yeah, so then I just omit that. Oh my God.
Jay Miralles:I feel so bad like the only one eating. Okay, Because Charlie, who's offset right now? She just had some earlier and she had a whoopee pie, right. Okay. So that's the one was. Okay. Tell me what this one is.
Jodi Jefferson:That's the almond cookie.
Jay Miralles:Oh yes.
Jodi Jefferson:So that's the almond cream cheese cookie. Okay.
Jay Miralles:I was going to. I was going to be like, can we name it the almond press, the Filipino style cookie? I don't know. Just okay, I want to try. So one more time. This is the almond with cream cheese. Yes, stop it, just stop with it. Okay, all right, it smells amazing. Sorry, I just I don't want to devour it and just be like oh, the experience. I wish I wasn't doing this on camera so I could honestly enjoy it. But I think this is okay. Here we go, oh, okay, shut Hold on Gosh Jodi. Why does it taste granular? Like you know, like there's real sugar in here.
Jodi Jefferson:That's probably the almond flour that you're tasting.
Jay Miralles:I know, but it feels like a little bit.
Jodi Jefferson:It's not as smooth, as like regular flour.
Jay Miralles:Good, I feel like I'm I'm chewing on sugar, which makes me scared, like, come on, there's gotta be sugar. Okay, that's what I'm saying, cause you know most baked goods. When you chew into it, you feel the sugar and you're like, oh, that's what I feel.
Jodi Jefferson:The almond flour has a little bit it's. It's more coarse, I guess you could say, than than regular flour. It's not as fine, so it has a little bit more of a gritty.
Jay Miralles:This right here I'm trying to taste. Is there vanilla in here?
Jodi Jefferson:too. Vanilla and almond.
Jay Miralles:Okay, that's, that's what I do taste, oh my gosh. But when people bite into this, so part of enjoying a dessert, okay, First of all, I don't want people to be like beating me up here. These are treats. These are not something I would be having just like every day, just a. I don't eat dessert every day, neither did I desert every day. These are treats for occasions or things to to, to spoil yourself with like listen, oh Jay, that's not keto. Neither is a pizza hut pizza that you shoved in your mouth two weeks ago. So stop lecturing me, right? So sorry, but anyway, about the mouth feel. So when I bite into it, I feel I've eaten most of this one. The outside starts crisp, you know, like it's really well put together, and then the inside is really like that. One almost feels like a, like a powdery donut.
Jodi Jefferson:Oh yeah.
Jay Miralles:You know what I mean. That's what's crazy to me. All right, all right. Here is my favorite. Here's my favorite. Look like I'm telling you just touching this will be pie.
Jodi Jefferson:It's soft. Yes, for those of you, it's moist from the pumpkin?
Jay Miralles:Yes, yeah Is. Oh, there's real pumpkin in here, oh yeah.
Jodi Jefferson:She's like oh yeah, Would you think I flavored it with pumpkin Extract. Come on, Jake.
Jay Miralles:Let's go, let's go. These are fighting words, don't be all. Don't be bullying me on my show. Here we go, okay, oh, you hear that.
Jodi Jefferson:That's got maple cream cheese filling.
Jay Miralles:Stop it.
Jodi Jefferson:Is it better than the original?
Jay Miralles:Is that maple extract, then, or maple syrup? How is?
Jodi Jefferson:what is that? That's maple extract Extract.
Jay Miralles:Oh my God, which makes it even better.
Jodi Jefferson:Okay, look at that question is it better than the original?
Jay Miralles:hold on. Let me just, let me just enjoy it. No, sorry folks, if you hear this, chomp it. I know it's not very polite, but I'm just get no cooling effect. The cream, the cream is very um, it's rich. Do you know what I'm saying? Like this would satisfy it. Okay. Big steak, big, maybe whatever big steak after I this. This would be. Honestly, this is good enough for a week, and what I think I need people to realize is mm-hmm. What I need people to realize is is it's an experience, and I think all desserts are an experience, right, or whatever you want to call them.
Jay Miralles:This is not something to be devoured in three bites. Wait, I could, I could stretch this out over 18 bites, like it's that good? Sorry, keep talking as you were. No, I'm serious when I say this, though. You are extremely talented and I think that's the most dessert I've ever had in one sitting. And and remember, this is keto. It's or I should say there, this is not the keto lifestyle, this is just a addition to the keto lifestyle. Right, if you have to have something, this is it. This is incredible. Thank, this is the first time anyone's ever tasted your key.
Jodi Jefferson:All right, your first one. I.
Jay Miralles:Taste the real pumpkin. Yeah, see, here's. What's crazy is I've eaten half these desserts and I don't feel any bloat. Do you know what I mean? Like, oh yeah, that's actually a lot to consume in a 10 minute period and I would never do that. I'm doing that for today because I really want to know, and I hope there's enough for Becky, but I Will have pictures of all this as well. I want you to keep doing this, because there is a space of people in the tribe that are looking for alternatives. People have told I would love to enjoy her stuff, but I'm diabetic. I would love to enjoy her stuff, but I'm you know this, or I'm this and I'm. There's a lot of, but I think when you have this responsibly, especially this, I Mean there's nothing processed here. This is almond flour, butter, cream cheese Extract, like almond extract, vanilla extract, coconut that's coconut, correct? Yes, yes, I mean, and that is chocolate stevia. I believe the cons like whipping cream.
Jodi Jefferson:Yeah, it's all.
Jay Miralles:Eggs yeah. I mean, see, I can put these ingredients together in a bowl too, and it wouldn't come off the same, jodi.
Jodi Jefferson:But yeah, I wanted to kind of dabble in it because I was Now that I'm trying this keto on this keto journey. I Was looking in the store and I'm like, oh my gosh, this stuff is a outrageous yes, the all process hundred percent process and really doesn't satisfy the want of like a dessert.
Jay Miralles:So this is authentic. It's um. Sorry, I know I'm putting it down first. I gotta put it down. I Want you to actually Think about doing this. I mean, this is your mini launch, but I want people to think when they think Busybee baking company. I want them to know that you're legit. You're the real deal. I don't care if it's an almond cookie that is keto or a full-blown whoopie pie made with your original recipe. I Think you can serve many audiences and I think you're gonna open yourself up to a new audience, and I think this is gonna make an impact one in your business, too is in our community. Excuse me, I just so good it's, it's in my teeth.
Jay Miralles:I want to say, though, just like you're baking, just like, just like your talent and your service to our country I mean I Want you to know like your energy is is incredible. Your, your giving heart is incredible. The way I Don't think anyone has run across from you to run across you in my circle and says I Don't like her. You know what I mean like you're just so even keeled, you're quiet. You don't like the front spotlight, you're quiet. You just you're all about action, and this is something that the community needs to get behind this, especially in this next upcoming Thanksgiving, and and you have made an impact in in your prior years Just with this business, as well as your service to our community.
Jay Miralles:Is there anything that you want people to know that we haven't discussed today, like anything that you want to just share your heart with and say, hey, I Think this or this is what I mean Is there? I know it's a hard question, but what do you want people to think of? How about this? Let's make it easy. What do you want them to think about when they purchase, when they spend money with you?
Jodi Jefferson:So, yeah, I just would want people to know that again, I want it to be an experience, not just a business transaction, from the very first time, very Conscious about if someone sends me a message and I'm not in the right space. If I'm at a kid's practice or I'm Out outside of the house, I usually don't respond to messages, because I don't want to forget that I need to respond back to them or that I need to take down their order, and so I just have this practice where, if I see a message come through, for that's business, I don't respond to it until I get home.
Jodi Jefferson:Yes but, I am very timely in my response because I know People appreciate that you know they don't want to wait 24 48 hours. But you're a mom too, I am and a wife and we've. We've talked about that balance, yeah, and Prioritizing that time, but when you're a business owner, it's, it's not a nine to five.
Jay Miralles:Can they call a big box store at 1040 at night and talk about their order tomorrow?
Jodi Jefferson:They can't know if, if that's the time where I have a chance that plenty of my customers get Responses at 5 am and I'm like I hope they are awake or their phones on vibrate, yes, but that's the quiet time where the kids are still asleep, the coffee is brewing and I can respond to messages really quickly and my calendar's right there. So, yeah, I pride myself on on again that experience and and I usually if it's a new customer, I will Almost 99% of the time follow up with a message of I want to know like did you love the cake? If not, give me the feedback, because yes that's the only way I can get better.
Jodi Jefferson:I'm a complete custom baker, so there are times where the cake that I'm baking you it might be a Completely new, not a new recipe.
Jay Miralles:Because it's custom.
Jodi Jefferson:Yes, because I may be taking a few different things and putting them together to make that custom cake for you, and so I want to know from my clients I kind of feel like I'm like the state motto of Nebraska Busy B is it's not for everyone.
Jay Miralles:Oh my gosh, that is true, because if you were all things to all people, you'd be nothing to no one. Oh, did I just make it up? You know I did. No, it's true, though it's.
Jodi Jefferson:I don't. I don't want all the customers in Omaha. It's impossible and be. Everyone has different flavor palette and I get that yes but for the customers who love my product.
Jodi Jefferson:I want to be the very best for those customers, because they are loyal to me. Therefore, I want to give them my best. And going back on one of the other things you said time, talent, treasure, it's. It's the season of giving. It's the season where usually people are in a good mood. Yeah, it's a high stress season. People are usually in a much better mood. Yeah, they're more willing to give. So, like Jay said, you don't have to make a difference by writing a ten thousand dollar check. Find a hope locker and put one thing of deodorant in it.
Jodi Jefferson:Oh my gosh, that makes a big next time you're at Costco, pick up a ten pack of socks and drop it off to one of the donation centers for project intentional. Yes it can be something small. You may find it trivial, but there's those ten people that receive those socks. It is anything but trivial this winter. So yeah, those are small things that you can do if you don't have the monetary means. Find something to volunteer for. Take an hour or two. Again, it will fill your cup.
Jay Miralles:Well, with that being said, I want to say thank you for tuning in, thank you for being on the show again, and if you love busy be baking company, it's because you have good taste, boom.
Intro Voice:Connecting the dots, connecting his guests to the world, creating more connections. Welcome to the connection. Meet your host. Author, coach, air Force veteran Jay Morales.